A million gallons of sewage spills into waterways after power outage at Hopewell’s wastewater treatment plant

HOPEWELL, Va. (WRIC) -- A power outage at the wastewater treatment plant in the City of Hopewell has caused an ongoing discharge of about a million gallons of untreated sewage. A day later, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDH) is asking the public to stay out of contaminated water areas.

On Saturday, July 12, the Crater Health District, part of the department, advised people to stay out of Gravely Run Creek, Tar Bay and sections of the James River from the Old City Point Waterfront Park, which extends downstream to Berkley, to include the entire width of the James River in this advisory region, as well as shoreline areas, out of "an abundance of caution."

At 11:50 p.m. on Friday, July 11, a power outage occurred at the city's wastewater treatment plant, resulting in an ongoing discharge of an estimated million gallons of untreated sewage.

VDH is advising the public to avoid areas that "will result in prolonged contact such as swimming or stand-up paddle boarding (SUPing)" and to prevent pets from swimming. However, they say that activities that result in limited contact, such as wading in the water to launch a boat, kayaking, canoeing may continue with proper caution.

Officials said there is no evidence of impact on drinking water, as of the time of reporting.

During this time, the department is urging the public to follow these guidelines:

• Avoid contact with any area of the waterbody of Gravely Run Creek and its opening to the James River and areas north to Old City Point Waterfront Park south to Berkley Plantation to include the entire width of the James River.
• Avoid any area of the waterbody where there is water with a foul or chemical odor, dead or dying fish, or discolored water.
• Promptly wash skin with soap and water if you cannot avoid contact with water in the vicinity.
• Rinse or wash items that come into contact with the water, including clothing, fishing gear, life vests, ropes and paddles.
• Seek medical care and notify your practitioner of the waterbody exposure if you experience adverse health effects after contact with the waterbody.

The department, the city and the Department of Environmental Quality will continue to monitor this incident to "assess any hazard to public health, and the advisory will be continuously evaluated," according to VDH.

This is not the only region under this recreation swimming advisory, as lightning strike caused 400,000 gallons of “partially treated sewage” to enter an Essex County creek on Wednesday, July 10.